Self-sealing dust bag

ABSTRACT

A SELF-SEALING DUST BAG FOR A VACUUM CLEANER PROVIDED WITH AN INLET TUBE. THE BAG INCLUDES A BODY OF RELATIVELY POROUS PLIABLE DUST-IMPERMEABLE MATERIAL AND A RELATIVELY STIFF PLATE PORTION PROVIDED WITH AN APERTURE FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE INLET TUBE. A PATCH OF RESILIENT ELASTIC, DUST-IMPERMEABLE MATERIAL IS SECURED TO THE INNER SIDE OF THE STIFF PLATE PORTION. THE PATCH IS PROVIDED WITH AN APERTURE SMALLER THAN AND IN REGISTRY WITH THE PLATE PORTION APERTURE. A BRIDGE IS INTEGRAL WITH THE STIFF PLATE PORTION AND EXTENDS OVER THE APERTURE THEREIN. THE BRIDGE INCLUDES A BULBOUS CENTRAL SECTION AND TWO OPPOSITELY LOCATED CONNECTING SECTIONS. THE BULBOUS SECTION IS LARGER THAN THE PATCH APERTURE AND SMALLER THAN THE STIFF PLATE PORTION APERTURE. THE BULBOUS SECTION IS FRANGIBLE AT THE JUNCTION LINE BETWEEN THE BULBOUS SECTION AND ONE OF THE CONNECTING SECTIONS TO ALLOW FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE INLET TUBE IN THE STIFF PLATE PORTION APERTURE.

United States Patent [191 F esco SELF-SEALING DUST BAG [75] Inventor: John E. Fesco, South Hempstead,

[73] Assignee: Studley Paper Company, Inc.

lnwood,N.Y.

[22] Filed: Dec. 21, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 100,155

52 us. ci ..55/367, 229/625 [51] Int. Cl. ..B0ld 46/02 [58] Field of Search ..55/367; 229/625 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 249,557 11/1881 Truesdell ..137/525.3

2,596,808 5/1952 Lofgren .229/62.5 2,964,128 12/1960 Bartos et a1. ..55/367 3,108,736 10/1963 Anderson et a1. ..S5/367 3,274,758 9/1966 Parman ..55/367 3,421,298 1/1969 Downey ..55/367 3,568,712 3/1971 Rinehart ..l37/525.3

1451 Apr. 10, 1973 Primary ExaminerBernard Nozick AttorneyFriedman & Goodman 5 7 ABSTRACT A self-sealing dust bag for a vacuum cleaner provided with an inlet tube. The bag includes a body of relatively porous pliable dust-impermeable material and a relatively stiff plate portion provided with an aperture for the reception of the inlet tube. A patch of resilient elastic, dust-impermeable material is secured to the inner side of the stiff plate portion. The patch is provided with an aperture smaller than and in registry with the plate portion aperture. A bridge is integral with the stiff plate portion and extends over the aperture therein. The bridge includes a bulbous central section and two oppositely located connecting sections. The bulbous section is larger than the patch aperture and smaller than the stiff plate portion aperture. The bulbous section is frangible at the junction line between the bulbous section and one of the connecting sections to allow for the reception of the inlet tube in the stiff plate portion aperture.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] APR 1 01975 SHEET 1 OF 2 JOHN FESCU INVENTOR ATTORNEY5 PATENTEDAPRmlm 3.7261] 67 sum 20F 2 FIG? :h F198- 8 JOHN E. FESCO INVENTQR SELF-SEALING DUST BAG BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an improved dust collecting bag for use in a vacuum cleaner.

Many vacuum cleaners include an inlet tube which is attached to and is in communicating relation with the inside of a removable dust-impermeable collecting bag associated therewith. It is well known in the art to provide this bag with self-sealing means to close the opening, through which the inlet tube is attached, when the inlet tube is detachedfrom the bag.

This self-sealing closure for the dust bag usually includes a substantially stiff cardboard plate secured to one end of a bag made of porous material such as paper. The plate usually is formed with a substantially circular inlet opening of a proper size to accommodate an inlet tube for introducing dust-laden air into the bag. A patch of thin stretchable material, such as sheet rubber, usually is secured to the plate over the inlet opening therein and usually is provided with a normally small aperture centered with respect to the inlet opening. The nature of the material of the stretchable patch is such that this aperture is enlarged by the introduction of the inlet tube, but will return to its normal size upon withdrawal of the inlet tube. In order to substantially close this aperture, a strip or tongue of flexible material, such as light cardboard, extends across the rubber sheet and the aperture therein so as to be forced through the aperture when the inlet tube is inserted. When the inlet tube is withdrawn this strip of cardboard remains within the aperture so as to substantially seal the latter. I

The aforesaid tongues as presently used require that the aperture in the patch be small, so that a large strain is imposed upon the patch when the inlet tube is inserted through the aperture, thereby requiring the use of expensive material for the patch. Also, the width of the tongue is only slightly larger than the aperture, so that the aperture in many situations is not completely closed, particularly when the bag is overloaded, thereby permitting a portion of the collected dust to escape from the bag. The present invention provides an improved form of .seal for the aforementioned apertures which overcomes the above-mentioned disad-,

vantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a self-sealing container, and more particularly to a disposable dust collecting bag provided with self-sealing means adopted for use in a vacuum cleaner. The invention provides a bag with a body of porous pliable dust-impervious material, and a relatively stiff dust-impermeable plate portion provided with an aperture to receive the vacuum cleaner inlet tube, with a patch of resilient elastic dust-impermeable material covering the aperture. The patch is provided with an aperture smaller than and in registry with the aperture in the stiff plate portion. A three-section sealing element is integral with the plate portion to define a bridge, which extends over the plate aperture, including a bulbous central portion and two connecting sections. The bridge is frangible at a joint line between the bulbous section and one of the connecting sections so that the pressure of the insertion of the inlet tube causes the bridge to break at this joint and the two portions of the bridge are bent into the bag so that the inlet tube can be passed through the aperture in the patch. When the inlet tube is removed, the patch straightens the bent portions and restores the bridge with the bulbous portions covering the patch aperture to seal the bag,

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a self-sealing dust bag which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide an efficient self-sealing closure for a disposable vacuum cleaner dust bag using an improved apertured elastic sealing patch.

A further object of this invention is to provide an im proved sealingelement to permit the use of a relatively large patch aperture to impose smaller strains upon the distended patch and thereby allowing the use of less expensive material for the patch.

An added object of this invention is to provide an improved bridge member having a shape which completely covers the patch aperture and a substantial portion of the inlet opening to effectively close the patch aperture to retain the collected dust within the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having in mind the above and other objects that will be evident from an understanding of this disclosure, the invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts as illustrated in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention which is hereinafter set forth in such detail as to enable those skilled in the art readily to understand the function, operation, construction and advantages of it, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a' perspective view of a self-sealing dust bag pursuant to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bag with the body of the relatively porous material of the bag broken away, showing the inside appearance of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bag similar to FIG. 2, showing the invention with a vacuum cleaner inlet tube inserted;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bag similar to FIGS. 2 and 3,showing the invention after removal of the inserted inlet tube;

FIG. Sis a top plan view of the sealing element of the present invention, showing the bend lines of the connecting sections of the bridge of the sealing element;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the sealing element of the present invention, showing the connecting sections PIOVICIECI'WIIII sloping, curved edges; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a dust container or bag of the present invention comprising a main body 10 of flexible, porous and pliable material, sufficiently porous to permit the passage therethrough of air, but not of dust or other solid particles picked up by the suction action of a conventional vacuum cleaner (not shown). The main body is proportioned to fit into the space designed therefor in the vacuum cleaner, in a manner well known in the art.

Secured to the inlet end of the bag by suitable means, such as with an adhesive, is an end plate 12 of relatively stiff material, such as cardboard. The opposite end of the bag is closed, in a conventional manner, to define an enclosed dust receiving chamber within the bag. End plate 12 is provided with an inlet aperture 14 sized and shaped to accommodate and permit the insertion of an inlet tube 16 (shown in FIG. 3) of the vacuum cleaner. Secured by an adhesive or other suitable means to the underside of the plate 12, is a sheet or patch 18 of dust-impermeable stretchable elastic material, such as a sheet rubber. Patch 18 covers and extends beyond the inlet aperture 14, and may have any desired shape which is larger than the aperture 14. Patch 18 is provided with an aperture 20 which is smaller than and in registry with the plate inlet aperture 14 (see FIG. 2).

A bridge 22 is formed integrally with plate 12 and extends across the inlet aperture 14, preferably in a diametrical position. Bridge 22 includes a bulbous or enlarged section 24 and outwardly extending smaller connecting sections 26 and 28 securing the bulbous section 24 to the plate 12. Bulbous section 24 is larger than the patch aperture 20 to cover and overlap the patch aperture 20, thereby providing a substantially uniform area around the aperture 20, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

As hereinbefore described, the bridge sections 24, 26 and 28 are integral with the plate 12. A junction line 30 disposed between the connecting section 26 and the bulbous section 24 is weakened by partially sectioning or other convenient method to render the bridge frangible at this line 30, the function of which will be set forth hereinbelow. The junction line 30 is preferably arcuately shaped to conform to the arcuate edges of the bulbous section 24. A fold line 32 is disposed between the section 26 and the plate 12 to permit the section 26 to be folded inwardly upon insertion of the inlet tube 16. Preferably, the fold line 32 is scored to permit bending, and arcuately shaped to correspond to the inlet aperture 14.

A fold line 34 is disposed between the connecting section 28 and the plate 12 to permit the connecting section 28 and the bulbous section 24 connected thereto, to be bent inwardly upon insertion of the inlet tube 16. Preferably, the fold line 34 is scored straight across the width of the connecting section 28 to permit easier bending thereof, being connected to the arcuate walls of aperture 14 by a pair of transverse cuts 36. The cuts 36 allow the fold line 34 to be spaced from the inlet tube 16 when the tube is inserted into the aperture 14 so that the fold line 34 is not weakened or damaged by the repetitous insertion and removal of the inlet tube 16 during use.

When the inlet tube 16 of the vacuum cleaner is first inserted into the aperture 14 of the bag, the pressure of the insertion causes the bulbous portion 24 to break at the junction line 30, with the connecting sections 26, 28 being bent inwardly into the main body 10. The elastic patch 18 is caused to stretch until the patch aperture 20 is sufficiently expanded to permit the end of the inlet tube 16 to pass therethrough and protrude into the main body 10. The bulbous portion 24 is forced to pass through the patch aperture 20 by the inlet tube 16, as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown, the elastic patch 18 is disposed around the inlet tube 16 in a tight engagement therewith. The

plastic patch 18 forces the connecting section 26 against the inlet tube 16 in an abutting relationship therewith to fix the inlet tube 16 in a stationary position relative to the plate 12, thereby reducing some of the strain on the elastic patch 18. The connecting section 26 allows for variants in the diameter sizes of different inlet tubes relative to the bag aperture 14. Without the connecting section 26, an inlet tube having a diameter smaller than the aperture 14, would be held within the aperture 14 only by the patch 18 effecting a floating engagement therebetween, with the inlet tube being free to move up, down and sideways within the aperture 14.

To permit more efficient entry of the inlet tube 16, the connecting section 26 is provided with a gradually increasing width towards the plate 12 to define gently sloping sides. This construction also gives a stronger joint at the fold line 32 between the connecting section 26 and the plate 12, and prevents any strain at this junction which would tend to cut into the patch 18. It is noted that when the inlet tube 16 is inserted into the aperture 14, the front edges of the inlet tube 16 abut against the connecting sections 26 and 28, rather than coming in contact with patch 18. The inlet tube 16 pushes the connecting section 26, 28 inwardly, which in turn push against the patch 18 thus greatly reducing any possibility of the front edges of the inlet tube 16 cutting into the patch upon insertion thereof.

Upon removal of the inlet tube 16, the patch 18 attempts to return to its original fiat position against the plate 12, forcing the connecting sections 26, 28 outwardly therewith. However, the bulbous section 24, which was forced through the aperture 20 .by the inlet tube 16, cannot pass back through the aperture 20 and therefore remains inside the bag to seal the aperture 20, as shown in FIG. 4. Because the bulbous section 24 is enlarged, the aperture 20 is elongated in a direction towards connecting section 28 and is forced around section 28 adjacent to the bulbous section 24, causing a slight bunching of the patch 18 thereon.

The stretching of the patch 18 caused by the elongated opening 20 forces the bulbous section 24 against the patch 18 to more efficiently seal the aperture 20. It is noted, that the aperture 20 is effectively hooked around a portion of the bulbous section 24 to hold the bulbous section 24 against the aperture 20 with a large area of the bulbous section 24 surrounding the aperture 20 so that the bulbous section 24 cannot pass back through the aperture 20.

FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose another embodiment of the invention, wherein a slight modification is made of the bridge, the modified bridge being designated 22A. In this modification, the connecting section 28A is tapered to have a smaller width adjacent to the bulbous section 24. The cuts 36 connecting the fold line 34 to the arculate walls of the aperture 14, are disposed in the same relationship to each other as mentioned above, being formed adjacent to the tapered shape of the connecting section 28A.

The tapered configuration of the connecting section 28A reduces the bunching tendency of the patch 18 around the connecting section caused by the stretched aperture 20 once the inlet tube 16 is removed, wherein the width of the connecting section 28A adjacent to the bulbous section 24 is now preferably smaller than the diameter of the patch aperture 20. When the inlet tube 16 is removed, the portion of the aperture 20 disposed on the connecting section 28A will easily move along the edges of the tapered connecting section 28A into close contact with the bulbous section 24 to be hooked around, as stated above. In this modified construction, the stretched patch 18 forces the bulbous section 24 even closer against the aperture 20 to provide a tighter seal therewith. Preferably, the edges of the tapered connecting section 28A are gently curved to improve the function thereof, as stated above.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only, and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising a body of relatively porous pliable and dust-impermeable material defining a chamber, a relatively stiff dust-impermeable end plate member disposed at one end of said body, said end plate member being provided with an inlet aperture for communicating with said chamber, a thin sheet of stretchable elastic dust-impermeable material secured to said end plate member and extending over said inlet aperture, said sheet being provided with an aperture in registry with said inlet aperture, said sheet aperture being smaller than said inlet aperture, said end plate member also being provided with a bridge integral with said end plate member and extending across said inlet aperture, said bridge including means for engagement in said sheet aperture to hold a portion of said bridge against said sheet aperture and to prevent said bridge portion from passing back through said sheet aperture once said bridge portion is originally forced through said sheet aperture, said means for engagement including a bulbous middle section defining said bridge portion, said bulbous middle section being disposed between first and second connecting sections of said bridge which space said bulbous section from said end plate member, said bridge being frangible at a junction line disposed between said bulbous section and said first connecting section, said bulbous section including a width portion larger than adjacent portions of said connecting sections, said bulbous section being larger than said sheet aperture to cover and overlap said sheet aperture with said bulbous section providing a substantially uniform area around said sheet aperture, and said sheet aperture being hooked around said bulbous section once said bulbous section is originally forced through said sheet aperture to seal said sheet aperture and therefore seal said chamber of said container.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein said sheet aperture is circular.

3. A container according to claim 1, wherein said bulbous section is provided with a circular outline.

4. A container according to claim 1, wherein said first connecting section is provided with a gradually increasing width towards said end plate member to provide a wide fold line between said first connecting section and said end plate member, said first connecting section being narrower at said junction line.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein said first connecting section defines abuttment means to fix an inlet tube disposed in said inlet aperture in a stationary position relative to said end plate member.

6. A container according to claim 1, wherein a fold line is disposed between said second connecting section and said end plate member, said fold line being spaced from said inlet aperture, a pair of transverse cuts connecting said fold line to said inlet aperture.

7. A container according to claim 6, wherein said fold line is scored straight across the width of said second connecting section.

8. A container according to claim 1, wherein said second connecting section is tapered to provide a narrower portion adjacent to said bulbous section.

9. A container according to claim 8, wherein said tapered second connecting section is gently curved.

10. A container according to claim 8, wherein said narrower portion of said second connecting section is smaller in width than said sheet aperture. 

